Food cables help backpackers ward off bears

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has provided $800 from its specialty license plate funds to help secure backpackers’ food from bears along the Appalachian Trail within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Using the grant funds from the ATC, park staff and volunteers have installed cables that backpackers and trail workers use to store food out of the reach of black bears. Cabling systems were renovated at the Derrick Knob shelter along the AT and installed at the new base camp of the Rocky Top Trail crew.

According to Park Wildlife Biologist, Bill Stiver, the cables give visitors an effective method to store food so that bears and other wildlife do not eat it. By using the cables, backpackers are ensuring that wildlife do not enter the overnight trail shelters.